Luka Glavas lives and breathes Sydney United 58 FC.
Luka Glavas lives and breathes Sydney United 58 FC.
The star striker made history this season as he broke Graham Arnold-s all-time goal scoring record for the club surpassing the old mark of 84 goals.
Along with that, claiming the IGA National Premier League NSW Mens 1 Premiership as well as winning the joint Golden Boot award for 2013 with 16 goals, Glavas has yet again been one of the club-s shining lights.
Given the honour of the captain-s armband this year, Glavas has been delighted with how things have unfolded for the club with the new NPL Finals Series format as well as making the inaugural final.
“It is a great achievement for the club, not only because we made the NPL final but because of what we needed to do to get there.
“The competition will only get bigger and stronger each year so to be part of the first ever final will be a special moment for myself, the club and all involved.
“It-s also an ideal opportunity for players to showcase their skills and ability on the national stage.
“We enjoyed the trip to Brisbane and it was definitely a quality experience for the young players who travelled for the first time.”
Getting to the final was by no means an easy feat as the decorated attacker admitted there were a few nervous moments for the players but the Reds prevailed in the end with a 4-3 victory over Brisbane-s Olympic FC.
“It was exactly that… a hard fought victory!
“The game was exiting for the neutral observers.
“There were lots of goals and chances created by both sides in what was a very entertaining game of football.
“In the end we had “Pava” to thank for his three goals, but all the guys put in a gritty performance in what were tiring conditions considering the travel on top of a surface that we weren-t accustomed to.
“Overall it was a satisfying victory over a well drilled Olympic FC team that should hold their heads up high.”
The captain of one of Australia-s most decorated clubs, Glavas had nothing but praise for his coach Mark Rudan whom he feels has been the difference since his appointment as the head man of the team this season.
“Mark has done fantastically this year.
“He has brought a belief to the playing group and a high level of professionalism to the club.
“Considering it is his first real year of coaching, Mark is well drilled and tactically very astute at this level.”
In true Glavas style there was always going to be a joke involved in this feature as the marksman believed Rudan has done well to put up with the likes of himself and Mirjan Pavlovic but he felt he had a special bond with the club-s midfield maestro Glen Trifiro.
“I have to say he has done really well to put up with the likes of myself and Mirjan all year but the concern has been more on the basis that he-s treated one player better than all the others - “Tricky” (referring to Glen Trifiro),” he said jokingly.
Sunday will be a huge day for the club, but for a player that wears his heart on his sleeve, winning is the only option as they prepare to take on opponents and hosts South Hobart FC in Tasmania.
“Make no mistake this will not be an easy match.
“Along with travelling for the second time in two weeks, South Hobart FC has put together a very good team and will make it very hard for us.
“In saying that we will do whatever we can to win this for not only ourselves but for the club also.”
Glavas stated that a victory on Sunday will also repay his faith in the club backing him since he first joined as a club junior.
“This club has a proud history, it has done a lot for me over the years, so I look at this as an opportunity to create new history and pay back to the club by bringing them the NPL Title.
“The NPL Finals Series has given us all extra motivation to achieve more than just the Premiership this year.
“Now that we have the opportunity to win it, we will be as hungry as ever because we know what winning this title will mean a lot to not just us players and the coaching staff but for the fans, who have been unbelievable this season and have travelled far and wide to support us
“Most importantly though, we want to do this for the club.”